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Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Composition of Oil Extracted From Akee Apple (Blighia sapida) Seeds

Abstract

The crude oil of Akee apple (Blighia sapida) seed was extracted by solvent extraction process. The oil was analysed for physical, chemical and fatty acid composition. The physical assessment gave the following results: yield(15.26%), specific gravity (0.85), colour (14units), moisture (0.48%), melt point (15oC), Smoke point (1350C), flash point (1700C), and Fire point (250C).The chemical properties obtained were; acid value (57.22mgKOH/g), free fatty acid (28.61% Oleic), saponification value (245.43mgKOH/g), peroxide value (6.40Meq/kg) and iodine value (22.84Wijs). Fatty acids detected and their values were myristic acid (0.28%), palmitic acid (16.41%), margaric acid (0.36%), stearic acid (6.42%), arachidic acid (0.42%), behenic acid (0.13%), lignoceric acid (0.09%), palmitoleic acid(0.77%), oleic acid (39.43%), linoleic acid (35.04%), linolenic acid (0.38%) and erucic acid (0.45%). The total saturated fatty acids of 23.93% and the total unsaturated fatty acids of 76.07% of the oil is an indication that the oil may not congeal at ordinary room temperature. This study showed that the oil can be refined to improve the quality parameters.

Omosuli SV

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